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Birth control and UC

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Posted 9/3/2008 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, 

I have found a few articles/studies online that mention oral contraceptives possibly causing UC.

I asked my GI dr about it, and when he looked it up on his computer, he found similar things about the relationship between combined contraceptives and UC. So, as advised by my GI dr, I stopped taking my birth control pills. But I am trying to find an alternative. From what I understand all birth control pills are "combined contraceptives" (2 hormones). I am wondering if anyone has looked into this and, if so, what did you do about it?

I am looking into the Deppo and the Nuvaring, but the Nuvaring is a combined contraceptive. I wonder if the oral contraceptives cause problems because it goes through the digestive track, or if the problems are caused by the hormones themselves? If the latter is the issue, than Nuvaring wouldn't be an option.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

geminisunset
Posted 9/3/2008 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I have never heard of this! I'll have to find some time to do some research.

I have been using a BCP for 10+ years. I have had UC for 5+ years. I do like using the BCP because it regulates my hormones (avoiding the period poops issues) and I can skip periods that can cause me to be anemic.
Posted 9/3/2008 8:41 PM (GMT 0)

I needed to do some research on this quickly - it was very unsettling to me...  Here's some of what I found upon a short glance:

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease, cigarette smoking, and use of oral contraceptives: findings in a large cohort study of women of childbearing age

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1340036

Is the incidence higher because more women with IBD are using birth control to prevent pregnancy during a flare?  Or is the incidence higher because the birth control causes the UC?  This article doesn't say (that I saw).

Oral contraceptive use may increase bowel disease risk

http://www.patienthealthinternational.com/news/23063.aspx

"While there is strong evidence for the role of smoking and genetics, there has been a lack of convincing evidence for the link between exposure to oral contraceptive agents and the development of inflammatory bowel disease."

Posted 9/3/2008 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dakotagirl,

Like you, I was finding the same kinds of articles that weren't very conclusive. It seems to me that this has not been researched enough - yet some of the articles were dated 10+ years ago. I wonder why this hasn't been researched in greater detail, especially with the number of women today using birth control?
Posted 9/3/2008 9:10 PM (GMT 0)

but I'm a bloke shocked  , how is this possible? tongue

NBT

Posted 9/3/2008 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Use of antibiotics can cause UC flareups. I have noticed more problems this past 6 weeks since having to be on antibiotics 18 days back in July and since starting birth control pills back in July, I've noticed rectal bleeding at times, problems with normal bm's at times, lots of gas, spasms either from the gas or overactive colon spasms from using the bathroom. Was not this bad back in July before the antibiotics and birth control pills I was put on to straighten out my periods at 48 years old. They were the only thing that stopped my 45 day period.

I've heard from one person whose mother has problems with her colon every time she takes an antibiotic. It takes her colon at least a month to straighten out.

Posted 9/3/2008 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
i was on the nuva ring for about two years. I LOVE it. The pill actually really messed me up so I looked into the Nuva Ring. I'm off it now because I ran out of my prescription when I moved and haven't gone to the doc for more. But I have really noticed that my periods are worse and longer and heavier without it. And the cramps are HORRIBLY worse without. I also noticed my uc was worce during my period too. So I actually think the nuva ring helped.
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